The child user in the public library: reflections on criteria for the development of collection

Abstract

The article presents considerations about reading in contemporary times, making observations on the importance of the act of reading and on fundamental points of Children’s Literature. Amid the complex scenario - which involves Brazilian public libraries immersed in the challenges imposed by the information explosion and the rapid development of ICTs - the text aims to cover mainly the problem concerning innate criteria for the development of collections, taking into account the child user in these libraries. To this end, a literature review stands out an entire argumentative panel based on some scientific texts. It appears that the lack of a policy for the development of collections within a large portion of public libraries in the country and specifically the absence of community studies in the planning of these institutions - essential conditions for monitoring changes in the profile of potential users - prove a mismatch before the interests of digital natives and the importance of deepening research on such issues. It is assumed that the difficulty in listing criteria for dealing with digital collections is also a constant within the scope of public libraries in Brazil. In relation to the child user, the research showed its uniqueness for the absence of literature in Information Science about this public and proposes reflections to librarian professionals.